Chapter two

SODAIR.

“What are you talking about Zeeklah? Where did hear that from?” Queen Marquis gazed at me intensely as she waited for me to say something.

“I just heard the maids talking about it. Just that. So I was curious.” I said silently as I poked my food slowly my appetite abated.

King Gaber kept his gaze on me as he kept on eating to his food.

“Whatever is at the other side of the fence is dangerous. All you need to know is that.” He said as he stood up and walked away. I gazed at my mom with pleading eyes.

She gave me a tight smile as she followed King Gaber.

The next day I decided to sit still and not do anything that would only make my dad much more suspicious. I decided that I should just try to embrace this loneliness if being at home all on my own with all this big huge windows and tall walls.

Wisteria came to my room to take me to the dinning table for breakfast. I sat there hoping to meet both of my parents.

Wisteria gazed at me woefully. “Your dad has matters of the state to work out on. As for your ...mom, she said she had to do something. But she’ll be back.”

I smiled lightly as I gazed at my plate. The table was filled with delicacies and sometimes I wonder where it all goes on days like this when the people who need to have breakfast are not around. I sighed as I didn’t have the appetite to eat alone. I walked back to my room.

I sat on my chair as I decided to indulge my mind in reading. My parents decided that I would have basic education when they are able to find me the right tutor. The other one who taught me how to read, spell and write already left. So I had to wait for them to find me another one.

I indulged myself in reading until I could not notice my mom walking into my room. She moved slowly and swiftly and stood behind me. She gazed at me as my mind already evolved in a world that was not here for a while. She cleared her throat and I turned around to face her. But she wasn’t the first person I saw.

She came with someone else.

She was a pretty girl. Blonde curls on her head, hazel eyes, small nose and full lips. She had a height of 4”6 and she stood still as her eyes surveyed my room. When her eyes met mine, she smiled as she bowed at me.

“Mom?” I said to Queen Marquis as she gazed at our silence exchange of greeting. She smiled at me.

“Good morning, your Royal Highness.” She said as she gazed at the girl she came with.

“Good morning mom.” I replied uneasily as I gazed at the girl who stood still her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

She was the shy type I figured.

“Who is she?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Liana, this will be your closest ally and best friend. I hope you try to cope up with her. She is just kind for now. She’s quite cunning and clever so you have to keep your focus.” She said to the girl.

“Liana.” I spelled her name on my lips silently as I gazed at her . I smiled mischievously.

“Mom! That’s not how you introduce me to my friend !” I said as I stood up and walked towards Liana.

I gave her my hand. She shook it passively.

“My name is Zeeklah.” I said to her kindly.

“Nice to meet your acquaintances, Your Royal Highness.” She said as she gazed at Queen Marquis .

“Oh! You can just call me Zeeklah! You are my friend now!” I said as I gazed at Queen Marquis. “Thank you mom.” I said to her.

She smiled at me as she held my hands in hers. “I hope you won’t be so stubborn. Be sweet to her, please. And do not be so hard on her too.”

I smiled genuinely. “No mom, I won’t do that.” I gazed at Liana. “She’s safe with me.” I said as I smirked.

“Well, let me leave the two of you alone so that you can get to know each other.” She said as she walked away. She turned around before she left. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“Yes mom! Thank you mom!” I replied enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Your Highness ” Liana said to my mom.

Queen Marquis smiled at her and closed the door. It was just the two of us in here now.

“So Liana. How old are you?” I asked her curiously. She smiled at me as she replied. “Eleven.”

I smiled back. “So we are age mates.” I said excitedly.

“Do you break rules?” I asked her silently.

She gazed at me taken back by my statement.

“Rules?” She sighed. “What do you mean, your Highness?”

I scoffed. “I told you to call me Zeeklah.”

“Sorry.” She replied woefully. “It’s just a habit I can’t control.”

“Never mind, so have you ever ?” I insisted.

“No. And I don’t plan to. I mean breaking rules can bring problems later when you get caught.”

“That’s not an issue. All you need to do is trust me.”

“Trust you? What do you mean?”

I smiled wickedly as I gazed at her. “Well, let’s se show loyal you are to your highnesses.”

Liana gazed at me with fear welled in her eyes. I laughed as I took out the carpet and the wooden board became visible.

“Ready for an adventure Liana?” I said to her . When she was about to reply I interrupted her. “And I don’t really like the word no.”

She gazed at me as she sighed. “Just this once.” She said to me.

“Of course.” I promised her.

I just couldn’t wipe out the color of the flowers. They followed me into my dreams beckoning me to follow them. As I walked with them, I made my way to a life full of light and love everywhere. Life back there was splendid. I just could keep it in me to believe the King that wherever my heart was, was a dangerous place.

“Where are we heading to, your Royal Highness?” Liana asked me.

“Don’t call me that! We will attract attention!” I said to her.

Today I had to leave with my cloak so that I would not attract attention.

“We are almost there.” I said to her as I saw that we were nearing at the fields.

When we managed to reach the fields, I started heading towards the fence. Liana tried to keep up with me. As I arrived there I met the flowers much more colored in purple than the last time I was here. I breathed in their scent as I relished in the world where all is well.

Liana caught up with me and gazed at other side of the fence.

“Zeeklah. This is wrong.” She said to me. I snapped my eyes and glared at her. “What?”

She gulped as she gazed at the flowers at the other side. I squatted down and gazed at them with affection.

“I don’t know why is my dad so against this flowers. They make me feel..at home. It’s just that they make me see a life that I need..”

“They are giving you wrong illusions Zeeklah. “ Liana said to me silently. “My mom told me the harm this flowers could inflict on a human.”

“Human? What do you mean human?” I asked her curiously. She gazed at me, as she started sneezing. I stood up and walked towards her.

“Are you alright?” I asked her concerned.

She gave me a tight lip smile as she sneezed again. I then gazed at the flowers. They might be allergic to her.

“Let’s head back home.” I told her as we left heading back to the castle.

When we arrived her sneezing ceased. I gazed at her intensely.

“You will not tell my mom or dad about today.” I emphasized.

“I won’t, your Royal highness.” Liana replied as she gazed down at her feet. I sighed heavily. I had hoped to go there and get the chance to pluck one that had already bloomed. Seems I still have to wait.

I decided to give Liana a tour at our palace in order to make her feel comfortable after what had happened at the field. I didn’t want her to say anything about it, because I plan to be there as much as I can.

The afternoon was splendid and then as usual during dinner time is when I get the chance to meet with my two busy parents. I know my mom told me if I’d need anything I should meet her at the office but after what happened today I figured

I’ll just have to act like everything is okay.

We sat at our respective chairs, and Liana sat next to me. When she arrived at the table she bowed to the King but my dad just smiled at her.

“We are family. Do not do that here. In public it’s allowed but when we are here, it’s okay if you just greet us like normal people.” My dad said to her.

Liana just smiled as she sat on her seat. My eyes were always glancing her side to hope that she won’t be the nosy kind of person who hides in her sleeves at daylight and takes of her gossip talking at night. I sighed heavily as I realized that I’m just being paranoid.

“So how was your day, Zeeklah?” He asked me. I smiled genuinely.

“It was perfect dad. I am so happy that now I won’t feel lonely because I have a friend here with me.” I replied valiantly.

“Am so happy that you enjoy her company.” He said as he smiled and went on eating.

“So what have you guys been doing today?” Queen Marquis asked us. I gave Liana a glance as I replied .

“I took her around the palace...” and then then the inevitable happened.

She started sneezing. I gazed at her with a cold glare that I could muster. She gazed at me apologetically as she kept eating her food.

When it subsided, I went on. “You know just like a tour..”

And again the sneezing stared, this time it got the attention of both of my parents.

“Are you okay?” Queen Marquis asked her. Liana replied but then the sneezing got to her again.

“Is there something you are allergic to?” Queen Marquis asked her again. “I could find you the psychiatrist to see what’s wrong with you.”

“No mom, she’s okay. I think it’s just the food.” I said to my mom. I then gazed at Liana. “Right Liana?” I asked her with a cold glare.

She smiled faintly as the sneezing started again.

“Why are you saying it’s the food? And why are you seeking validation from her?” King Gaber said to me.

I shook my head as I my hands started shaking.

“It’s not the food. Liana what is it.?” Wueen Marquis said to her.

Liana gazed me and at my mom then my dad. She tried her best to say that it was nothin but still the sneezing interfered with her speaking.

“Liana.” Queen Marquis gave her a glass of water. She took it and drank some.

“Did you tread somewhere maybe?” Queen Marquis demanded.

“Just tell us the truth we will understand.”

King Gaber said as he smiled at Liana. No. That statement was a killer statement. When my dad says that he doesn’t mean it . He just uses it to get the truth.

“Talk to me Liana.I just want to help you.” He insisted.

Don’t fall for all this. Do not. I said to myself. She was gazing at her hands, so it was hard for me to make eye contact.

“It’s just that..I and Zeeklah went through a field and I guess I just have an allergy to flowers.” She said silently.

“Field?” Queen Marquis asked kindly. “Which field Liana?”

“The one..” she said as she sneezed again. “The one near the border.”

King Gaber’s eyes enlarged from shock of what he had just heard. He then composed himself and gave Liana a soft smile. “Which border my dear?”

Liana gazed at me apologetically as I tried to shake my head so she would have to lie or say nothing at all. But my dad saw the exchange and gave me a cold glare.

“Liana, we need to know so that we can find a cure for you.” Queen Marquis nudged her.

Liana sighed as she gazed at her plate.

“The one with the forbidden fence. Th one that is near the purple flowers.” I also my felt my soul detach itself from my body.

My hands started shaking profusely. Both of my parents were glaring daggers at me now.

I wish I could get a chance to get underground but could not.

“My dear, would you please take Liana to her

room? I need to have a conversation with my lovely daughter .” He insisted.

No. Did he? Did he just call me lovely? Oh this night is going to be a long one.